I'm an olive-skinned italian, but my daughter inherited her father's blond, pale irish complexion. She burns amost instantly. When we cruise, she generously applies and reapplies Coppertone Sport SPF 30 (or higher), and almost always wears an oversized T-shirt over her bathing suit, even in the water. The only time this didn't keep her skin from getting burned was in Aruba last August, and to be honest, even I got toasted there.